Winter in the City

When making your plans this holiday season, include these signature holiday events and activities.

Winter in the City Never Looked so Good!

Downtown Denver is home to many of the season’s time-honored traditions, making it a special destination during the holidays. Within blocks, you can have an entire holiday experience: dinner, shopping, ice skating, sparkling lights, and on some nights, music and entertainment. We hope you’ll come Downtown to experience the magic of the holidays with us. Explore your options to eat, shop and stay.

Denver Christkindl Market

November 17 – December 23
The German American Chamber of Commerce will host a Christmas market, in Skyline Park at 16th & Arapahoe in the spirit of an age-old German tradition. Craftspeople and artisans will offer rare, imported products, and food vendors will dish out European fare.

Grab a Brat and a Glühwein (spiced mulled wine) and warm up in the large holiday warming tent. Free music and dancing will be happening throughout the market. The event, open every day, is packed with entertainment, including bands, choirs, dancing and much more.

Downtown Denver Rink at Skyline Park

November 20 – February 3The Downtown Denver Partnership invites you and your family to join us at the Downtown Denver Rink at Skyline Park – Downtown’s destination for fun this winter.

The Downtown Denver Rink offers free ice skating seven days a week from November 20 until February 3. Skaters are welcomed to bring their own skates or rent a pair ($6, 12 & under / $8, 13 & up). Special entertainment and programming throughout the season includes Friday night DJs, Snowga, Sunday Family Fun Day, a Broomball Challenge, and free Learn to Skate Lessons. Learn more!

Grand Illumination

November 23On Friday, November 23, Downtown Denver’s major landmarks will light up for the holidays during the Grand Illumination. The event features entertainment and lighting ceremonies at Denver Union Station and the City and County Building. Hundreds of thousands of lights will also illuminate the 16th Street Mall, Skyline Park, the D&F Clock Tower, 14th Street, Larimer Square and more.

Union Station Holiday Market by the Denver Flea

Weekends: November 23 – December 16Denver Flea returns for the holiday season with their biggest market yet! Gather your family and friends for four weekends of shopping, festivities and winter fun, all at the historic Denver Union Station! Starting on November 23 (Black Friday), 100s of Colorado’s best makers and artisan brands will pack the Plaza of Union Station each weekend for a holiday shopping wonderland in the heart of the Mile High, paired with music, eats, drinks and more.

Tickets are $5 per person, and are good for entry/re-entry for the specific weekend for which they are purchased. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased on the Holiday Market Eventbrite page.

9NEWS Parade of Lights

November 30 and December 1The 9NEWS Parade of Lights, presented by American Furniture Warehouse and produced by the Downtown Denver Partnership, has been a Colorado tradition for more than 40 years. You won’t want to miss the sparkling lights, marching bands, giant balloons, dazzling floats and delightful characters as they take to the streets of Downtown.

And make plans to view the Parade for free along the two-mile route or purchase grandstand tickets for seating in front of the City & County Building. Purchase Grandstand tickets and enjoy the best seats in the house, concessions, bathrooms and commentary by 9NEWS.

Denver Pavilions’ Holiday Carousel

December 15 – January 2
Conveniently located at Denver Pavilions (500 16th Street), the Holiday Carousel returns to Downtown Denver to enhance your holiday experience and create memories for years to come. Free rides will be given from Denver Pavilions restaurants, retailers and entertainment venues with purchase, and from select Downtown hotel partners. Partial proceeds will benefit Food Bank of the Rockies.

The Carousel runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visit Denver Pavilions for more information.

The 15th Annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks Downtown

December 31
Looking for a place to close out 2018? Downtown Denver is the spot to be for your New Year’s Eve celebration. In its 16th year, the tradition continues with two fireworks displays that light up the skies of the Mile High City. The first show, at 9 p.m. is an ideal time for those looking for an earlier evening, while the second show, at midnight, officially marks the start of the New Year.

Both shows are identical, will run approximately eight minutes, and can be viewed anywhere along the 16th Street Mall. There also will be DJs along the Mall spinning tunes from 8 p.m. through the midnight fireworks show.

2019 World Cup Ice Climbing Finals

February 22 – 24The American Alpine Club is hosting the USA World Cup Ice Climbing Finals in Civic Center Park in Downtown Denver. This event is free and open to the public to attend and watch over 120 athletes from over 20 countries compete in Lead and Speed competitions.